By Diane Zack, RDH
As many of you leave the security of academia where you have spent years going through guided halls, here are some new guidelines to strive for as you go down the road of the next chapter in your life story:
• Network. Get to know others and exchange ideas with people with whom you come in contact, both professionally and personally. Hear the advice people will likely give you, and then make your own choices. "To profit from good advice requires more wisdom than to give it." One of the pros and cons of networking, whether with other hygienists, family members, parents, friends, or lawyers and accountants is that everyone has advice about how you should do things. The challenge is being able to hear the opinions, process the information, and then pick and choose the parts that work for you . . . and still be able to maintain the network of relationships for future needs.
• Be part of your professional association. United we stand.
• Save some of what you earn, no matter how much (or little).
• Think outside the box.
• Make lemonade out of lemons.
• Balance life.
• Present yourself for success. Appear confident and neat at all times.
SOMEBODY SAID THAT IT COULDN'T BE DONE
BUT HE WITH A CHUCKLE REPLIED:
THAT MAYBE IT COULDN'T,
BUT HE WOULD BE ONE WHO WOULDN'T SAY SO 'TIL HE TRIED.
SO HE BUCKLED RIGHT DOWN,
WITH A TRACE OF A GRIN ON HIS FACE
HE STARTED TO SING AS HE TACKLED THE THNG
THAT COULDN'T BE DONE
AND HE DID IT.
Success is that ABC: ability, breaks, and courage.
Diane Zack, (Seigal), RDH, is owner and president of RDH Temps, Inc., New England's oldest and largest dental personnel placement agency (founded in 1980). The company places temporary and permanent dental hygienists, receptionists, assistants, and dentists in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Diane is a graduate of Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists, and she received the Esther Wilkins Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006. She is a past president of the Massachusetts Dental Hygienists' Association and serves on a number of committees of the Massachusetts Dental Society. Visit www.rdhtemps.net for more information.
